PEFC suspends assessment of Myanmar forest certification system

On the eve of the United Nations International Day of Democracy, the assessment of the Myanmar forest certification system has been suspended with immediate effect due to concerns that Myanmar-based stakeholders are unable to participate in the assessment process.

Open, transparent, and meaningful stakeholder engagement is core to PEFC processes, which includes the ability of all participants to speak freely without fear of reprisal. Information received following the launch of the global public consultation, and integral part of the assessment process, indicates the risk of potential or actual self-censorship or self-imposed restriction by Myanmar-based stakeholders.

The recent arrest of Kyaw Min Htut, an environmental and democracy activist and former civil society representative on the Myanmar Forest Certification Committee, exemplifies the restrictions to speak freely.

Police reports state Kyaw Minn Htut was detained under Article 50 of the country’s Counterterrorism Law, and allege he supported and gave financial help to groups classified as terrorists by the military junta, according to the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA). Kyaw Min Htut was also a member of the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade multi-stakeholder group and a member of the Myanmar Alliance for Transparency and Accountability network.

In addition, officials of the Building and Woodworkers Federation of Myanmar (BWFM) have pending warrants of arrest, their passports declared void by military junta and its local member unions are harassed by state security forces to disassociate from BWFM. BWFM is a recognised stakeholder in the MFCC and an affiliate of Building and Woodworkers International (BWI), a PEFC International Stakeholder member.

The assessment and thus the endorsement process of the Myanmar forest certification system is therefore suspended until further notice.

PEFC Board of Directors continues to monitor the situation and will review it at its next meeting in October 2021.
https://pefc.org/news/pefc-suspends-assessment-of-myanmar-forest-certification-system

Related Posts

FPAC Releases Report to Advance Caribou Recovery Solutions

Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) released a comprehensive report that highlights efforts in support of caribou recovery across the country – along with a series of recommendations to the federal government that will help inform solutions to further preserve and enhance habitat for caribou and other species that inhabit Canada’s forests. The report includes a compendium of projects and initiatives taking place across the country as part of the Canadian forest products sector’s active efforts to support caribou recovery. The report highlights multiple factors impacting caribou populations, and the unique position Canada’s forestry professionals are in to support caribou recovery with science, research, and by advancing on the ground partnerships. Click Read More below for additional information.

Clearing the Air — Not the Forest: The Real Deal on Deforestation

The Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut Forestier du Canada is another group speaking out against recent claims about forest loss and deforestation, sparked by a report that claims Canada was second in the world in terms of tree cover loss in 2013. Check out the interesting infographic prepared by the CIF/IFC in response to the report. A report released by the World Resource Institute claims that Canada was second in the world in terms of tree cover loss in 2013. The CIF/IFC found issue with the way tree cover loss was defined in the document, as well as the general message of the report, which leaves readers with the impression that sustainable harvesting practices, insect damage, and forest fires are causing permanent damage to our forests.

Metsä Board Recognised as World Leader for Corporate Action on Climate Change by CDP

Metsä Board has been identified as a global leader for its actions and strategies in response to climate change and has been awarded a position on the Climate A List by CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project), the international not-for-profit organisation that drives sustainable economies. Metsä Board is among 9% of corporations participating in CDP’s climate change programme to be awarded a position on the list, in recognition of its actions to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change in the past reporting year.
Back To Top
×Close search
Search